Which values of [tex]a[/tex] and [tex]b[/tex] make the following equation true?
[tex]\[
(5x^7y^2)(-4x^4y^5) = -20x^a y^6
\][/tex]

A. [tex]a = 11, b = 7[/tex]

B. [tex]a = 11, b = 10[/tex]

C. [tex]a = 28, b = 7[/tex]

D. [tex]a = 28, b = 10[/tex]



Answer :

To determine the correct values of [tex]\( a \)[/tex] and [tex]\( b \)[/tex] that make the equation true, we need to expand and simplify both sides of the equation:

Given equation:
[tex]\[ \left(5 x^7 y^2\right)\left(-4 x^4 y^5\right) = -20 x^a y^6 \][/tex]

We start by simplifying the left side of the equation. We will multiply the coefficients and use the property of exponents that [tex]\((x^m \cdot x^n = x^{m+n})\)[/tex] to combine the exponents.

1. Multiply the coefficients:
[tex]\[ 5 \times (-4) = -20 \][/tex]

2. Combine the exponents of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x^7 \times x^4 = x^{7+4} = x^{11} \][/tex]

3. Combine the exponents of [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y^2 \times y^5 = y^{2+5} = y^{7} \][/tex]

So, the left side of the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ -20 x^{11} y^7 \][/tex]

Next, we compare this to the right side of the equation:
[tex]\[ -20 x^a y^6 \][/tex]

For these two expressions to be equal, their coefficients, as well as the exponents of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( y \)[/tex], must be identical. Here, since the coefficients on both sides are already [tex]\(-20\)[/tex], let's match the exponents.

- Matching the exponents of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x^{11} = x^a \quad \Rightarrow \quad a = 11 \][/tex]

- Matching the exponents of [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ y^7 = y^6 \quad \Rightarrow \quad \text{This indicates a mistake, we correct the exponent here: } y^7 = y^b \quad \Rightarrow \quad b = 7 \][/tex]

Thus, the values of [tex]\( a \)[/tex] and [tex]\( b \)[/tex] that make the given equation true are:
[tex]\[ \boxed{a = 11 \text{ and } b = 7} \][/tex]

So the correct answer is [tex]\( (11, 7) \)[/tex] in the given choices.